Rabbit Road north of Kasota to close beginning May 1
Rabbit Road north of Kasota is expected to close starting Friday, May 1 as crews begin work on the bridge over Highway 22, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Crews will repair the Rabbit Road bridge deck, replace approach panels, traffic barriers, and drainage structures as part of the 2025-26 Highway 22 Mankato to St. Peter project.
Rabbit Road is expected to be closed to through traffic between Highway 99 near St. Peter and Le Sueur County Road 21 near Kasota until late July. Through traffic will be detoured to Highway 99 and Le Sueur County Road 21/Shanaska Creek Road. The new roundabout at Highway 22 and Hill Street/Le Sueur County Road 21 is open to local traffic. (Detour map attached)
Highway 22 under the Rabbit Road bridge will remain open to local traffic only, with no access from southbound Highway 169 in St. Peter. MnDOT is encouraging local traffic headed north to St. Peter to use Highway 22 over the Minnesota River Bridge and then northbound Highway 169, instead of using Le Sueur County Road 21 and Highway 99.
Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter remains closed to through traffic for the final year of construction on the project. Through traffic is detoured to Highways 14 and 169 until the completion of the project in fall 2026, weather permitting.
Project overview
The 2025-26 Mankato to St. Peter project includes reconstructing Highway 22 from south of Blue Earth County Road 57 in Mankato to just south of the Minnesota River Bridge in St. Peter and adding new turn and passing lanes. The project also includes improving lighting at intersections, repairing and replacing bridges, installing snow fence, and preparing for future construction of a walking and biking trail to connect Mankato to St. Peter. A roundabout at Hill Street (Le Sueur County Road 21) near Kasota was completed in 2025.
Project benefits, cost
Benefits of the project include improved pavement, increased safety and traffic flow, and accommodations for a future multi-use trail. Mathiowetz Construction Company was awarded the project with a bid of $36,896,294.56.
Stay connected
- Visit the Highway 22 Mankato to St. Peter project website for more information, detour maps, video of the project, and to sign up for email updates.
- Information will be shared on the MnDOT South Central Facebook group and on X @mndotscentral.
- For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
Work zone safety reminders
- Slow down when approaching every work zone
- Never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones
- Stay alert; watch for workers and slow-moving equipment
- Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300
- Minimize distractions behind the wheel
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times
